KYOTO · A HOME FOR RESCUED CATS
A unique Kyoto experience with rescued cats and matcha.
Slow down in a traditional machiya, spend quiet time with rescued cats, and whisk your own bowl of matcha. Small-group and private experiences available.
Reservation only · Up to 6 guests · Same-day bookings welcome
Through the cats simply being themselves, find your way back to simply being yourself.
A quiet moment in Kyoto to slow down and meet yourself with a little more kindness.
THE EXPERIENCE
A quiet encounter with cats and matcha
WHAT THIS EXPERIENCE IS
A slower way to experience Kyoto
Settle into a traditional machiya, watch the cats go about their day, offer them a small treat, and enjoy the simple pleasure of sharing the same space. The experience ends with a bowl of matcha that you whisk yourself.
If a cat approaches and seems comfortable, you’re welcome to gently pet them. We simply ask that the cats are always free to choose whether to stay or walk away.
English guidance is available throughout the experience.
YOUR VISIT AT UTANEKODO
Seven moments, one visit
1F
PHASE 1 · FIRST FLOOR
01
STEP 01 · DOWNSTAIRS
Welcome downstairs — Benzaemon
Your visit begins in the first-floor café. Benzaemon lives downstairs and may be the first cat you meet. The other seven cats live upstairs.
02
STEP 02 · BEFORE THE STAIRS
Getting ready to meet the cats
Before meeting the cats upstairs, we’ll guide you through a few simple hygiene steps to help protect their health: wash your hands, then disinfect your hands, feet and smartphone.
2F
PHASE 2 · UPSTAIRS WITH THE CATS
03
STEP 03 · UPSTAIRS
Meet the cats upstairs
Step into the upstairs space where the other seven cats live. We introduce their natural behaviour and explain how to enjoy your time together.
The cats decide whether to come closer. Interaction is never forced.
04
STEP 04 · THE HEART OF YOUR VISIT
Quiet time with the cats
Settle in and quietly watch them go about their day: coming closer, playing, sleeping, looking out of the window or simply doing their own thing.
A small portion of treats
You may offer a small amount of cat treats. We carefully manage the portions for the cats’ health. Treats are included in your experience and are not sold.
If timing allows, you may also see the cats at mealtime.
An optional detail for private visits
On private plans, guests may try a cat-pattern two-piece kimono. Adult women’s sizes only, with limited sizes available. This is a small optional part of your visit.
2F → 1F
PHASE 3 · THE CLOSING MOMENTS
05
STEP 05 · AT THE END
Matcha, made by you
After your quiet time with the cats, whisk and enjoy your own bowl of premium Japanese matcha. This is the final part of the upstairs experience.
We offer simple guidance on tea etiquette, explaining the meaning behind the gestures. No previous experience is needed.
Enjoy a cat-shaped vegan and gluten-free Japanese monaka sweet. A soft drink is available if you prefer not to have matcha.
06
STEP 06 · A SMALL GIFT
Postcards to take home
Take home original Utanekodo cat postcards.
07
STEP 07 · DOWNSTAIRS AGAIN
Café and shop downstairs
Back on the first floor, you are welcome to browse original goods, cat-themed tea utensils and other souvenirs. Purchases are optional and charged separately.
Stay for a Cat Cream Soda or another café item if you wish. Café items cost extra on the regular plans; Patron Private includes Cat Cream Soda for every guest.
PART OF YOUR VISIT
What’s included
- Quiet time with rescued cats in a traditional Kyoto machiya
- Hygiene preparation before entering their living space
- A small, carefully measured portion of cat treats
- Whisking your own premium Japanese matcha
- Guidance on tea etiquette and its meaning
- A cat-shaped vegan and gluten-free monaka sweet
- A non-matcha soft drink alternative
- Original Utanekodo cat postcards
- Time to browse original goods and cat-themed tea utensils
Private plans
Optional cat-pattern two-piece kimono — adult women’s sizes only.
A complete set of all 7 Utanekodo cat postcard designs.
Patron Private
Extended private time, Cat Cream Soda for every guest, and a donation to animal welfare.
Additional cost
Optional café items, goods and souvenirs.
BOOK DIRECT
Choose your experience
Best rate when booking direct.
Free cancellation until 48 hours before.
SHARED EXPERIENCE
Share the experience with other guests.
Small Group
70 minutes
14:00 or 16:00
Maximum 6 guests
Best for solo travellers and pairs.
One original Utanekodo cat postcard per guest.
PRIVATE EXPERIENCES
The space to yourselves, with three ways to visit.
For all private plans
A complete set of all 7 Utanekodo cat postcard designs.
Optional cat-pattern two-piece kimono — private plans only, in adult women’s sizes.
On Daytime and Evening Private, café items are optional and cost extra. Patron Private includes Cat Cream Soda for every guest.
BEST RATE WHEN BOOKING DIRECT
GUEST REVIEW
★★★★★
“… it was so obvious from the moment we walked in how well loved and cared for all the cats were”
A SHORT FILM
A moment at Utanekodo
Wood, light, matcha, and the cats going about their day.
OUR CATS
Meet the cats who call Utanekodo home
AT HOME WITH US
Uta
Store Manager
Estimated date of birth: 1 September 2018. Male.
Black cat.
Uta was rescued in Kyoto and was wary of people at first, but gradually opened up after his close friend Ginjiro joined him at UTANEKODO. Named after Emperor Uda himself, he is our clever “store manager.” His naturally short tail is his easiest identifying feature.
AT HOME WITH US
Kintaro
Date of birth: 18 July 2018. Male.
Scottish Fold.
Kintaro spent his early life confined to a small space in a pet shop and was timid when he first arrived. Today he loves being close to people and is known for his wonderfully unusual relaxing poses. He now lives with the owner and comes to UTANEKODO with her, sometimes taking a day off at home.
AT HOME WITH US
Ginjiro
Estimated date of birth: 1 October 2018. Male.
Tuxedo.
Ginjiro was born as a stray and later rescued from an animal welfare centre. Gentle, affectionate and talkative with both people and cats, he has a distinctive meow that sounds a little like a sheep. He and Uta have been close friends since they were young.
AT HOME WITH US
Sanshiro
Date of birth: 18 November 2018. Male.
Persian.
Sanshiro spent time unsold in a small pet-shop cage before coming to UTANEKODO. He is an easygoing Persian with a sweet face, a hearty appetite and a wonderfully fluffy coat. He spends much of the day sleeping and seems especially fond of Kintaro, who is a little gentler with him than with most cats.
AT HOME WITH US
Eitaro
Date of birth: 8 May 2019. Male.
Ginger tabby.
Eitaro is one of four kittens born to a stray mother under the eaves of a house in Kyoto. He loves food and is shy by nature, but once he feels comfortable with someone, he becomes exceptionally affectionate. Uta and Ginjiro treat him like a younger brother.
AT HOME WITH US
Benzaemon
Estimated date of birth: 14 January 2018. Male.
Bengal.
Benzaemon was kept for breeding before being rescued from a breeding business that had collapsed. Soon after arriving at UTANEKODO in 2025, serious heart disease was discovered, and we decided to care for him here for the rest of his life. He is a large, affectionate boy who loves people and food and usually welcomes guests on the ground floor.
AT HOME WITH US
Umeko
Estimated date of birth: 1 December 2016. Female.
Black cat.
Umeko was rescued in Kyoto in December 2023 with her daughter Hanako after years living outdoors. She is still cautious around people, but the distance is gradually closing; recently she sometimes comes down even while guests are here and may accept a Churu treat. She is an affectionate mother and gets along well with the other cats.
AT HOME WITH US
Hanako
Estimated date of birth: 1 October 2023. Female.
Tuxedo.
Hanako was rescued with her mother Umeko when she was still a kitten. Smaller than Ginjiro, she has slightly longer fur and a particularly fluffy tail. Small but strong-willed, she loves to play and is not intimidated by the older boys. She runs away from the owner, who has to catch her for nail trims and trips to the vet. Yet she sometimes approaches guests on her own—something the owner watches with a little envy.
For more about the cats and life at UTANEKODO, read The Cats’ Lives, The Heart of UTANEKODO.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
A peaceful life, sustained together
A PLACE TO LIVE AND GROW OLDER
Utanekodo began with a wish: to create a place where cats can feel safe, live as themselves and grow older in comfort.
CONNECTION ON THE CATS’ TERMS
You’re welcome to gently pet a cat who chooses to approach you. We don’t chase, hold or reposition cats for interaction or photographs.
A QUIET SPACE SHARED TOGETHER
By welcoming only a small number of guests, we can protect the rhythm of the cats’ everyday life and create a calmer experience for people too.
Read more
OUR STARTING POINT
A lasting commitment to the cats
There are many ways to care for rescued cats. Some involve helping them find new families. Others mean giving cats a lasting place to live and taking responsibility for their everyday care. At Utanekodo, we have chosen to support the cats who have come to live here, throughout their lives.
Sustaining their care through every visit
For that care to continue, a safe place is only the beginning. Daily attention, veterinary care and the livelihoods of the people who look after the cats all need to be sustained over time. We aim to make this possible through a viable business that supports their ongoing care.
We welcome guests to enjoy tea and spend unhurried time here as the cats go about their usual day. A rewarding visit for our guests helps sustain a peaceful daily life for the cats. This is the relationship we hope to nurture at Utanekodo.
A name with a quiet history
The name Utanekodo is inspired by Emperor Uda, associated with one of Japan’s earliest surviving accounts of a pet cat. Uta’s name is a small tribute to that long relationship between people and cats.
The cats who live here have come from different circumstances: life outdoors, rescue care, pet shops and breeding facilities. Their histories guide our commitment to a stable home, individual care and dignity throughout their lives.
Both are welcome. We never force or guarantee contact.
Every cat needs to be able to move away freely. Please keep voices and movements gentle, and do not chase, hold or pick them up. Leave their tails and paws alone.
Resting high above the room, watching from a doorway, or coming a little closer: each choice belongs to the cat.
Our part is to keep their home calm enough for those choices to be possible.
The cats can continue their everyday routines, while guests have space to notice the small details of the house and the lives within it.
Frequent movement and raised voices change that quiet atmosphere. This is why we ask guests to remain seated, relax and avoid repeatedly standing or moving around. There is no need to follow a cat to make a moment happen.
Children are welcome when their parents can help them stay calm and gentle. A peaceful visit is something we create together.
We never force or guarantee interaction. Gentle petting is welcome when the cat is comfortable; tails and paws should never become a way to force contact.
Chasing, holding and picking up cats take away that freedom. Our request is simple: let them stay in control of their own movements.
Photographs are welcome as a record of a quiet visit. Flash is prohibited, and a picture should never depend on disturbing, pursuing or repositioning a cat.
UTANEKODO is a fragrance-free venue for the comfort and safety of our cats and guests. Please do not wear perfume, cologne, body spray, or other added fragrance when visiting. If fragrance can be clearly detected on arrival, entry may be refused. No refund or same-day rescheduling will be provided in that case.
Clean socks and precautions around other animals help us care for this shared home. The full hygiene and admission requirements are explained in our visit guidelines.
We do not sell cat treats. Instead, a small, health-controlled portion is provided at no additional cost. Managing the portions lets guests enjoy this moment while keeping the cats’ wellbeing first.
GUEST REVIEWS
What our guests say
★★★★★
“It’s a calm, serene experience, you relax in the room and the cats behave completely naturally around you.”
KindPlacesGoogle Review ↗
★★★★★
“Such a beautiful and peaceful environment – the cats are incredibly well looked after and so happy.”
★★★★★
“If you are seeking out a peaceful experience with cats in an ethical environment, this place is for you.”
Nkhill34Tripadvisor Review ↗
★★★★★
“Matcha making was well explained and talked through, while we also learnt about traditional tea making culture.”
Amy GriffinGoogle Review ↗
★★★★★
“I was happy to see the happiness of the cats was most important.”
Lena21Google Review ↗
SUPPORT THE CATS
Every booking already helps support the cats’ food, veterinary care and everyday life at Utanekodo. If you would like to help a little further, you can make an online donation or contribute to the donation box during your visit.
Patron Private includes an additional contribution to animal welfare.
VISIT
Everything to know before you visit
FIND US
A machiya in Kyoto
Neko no Roji · Central Kyoto
A 5-minute walk from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station on the Subway Tozai Line.
Reservation only
Fragrance-free venue
Second floor · stairs only
Find Utanekodo
Address
Neko no Roji Roji-155
155-4 Tachibanayanagi-cho
Shinkarasuma-dori Nijo-agaru
Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Getting here
- 5-minute walk from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station, Subway Tozai Line
- 4-minute walk from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Bus Stop, Kyoto City Bus
- 11-minute walk from Sanjo Station, Keihan Main Line
- 15-minute walk from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station, Hankyu Kyoto Line
Arrival
Please arrive around your reserved start time. Early visitors cannot wait inside.
By bicycle or motorcycle
You are welcome to park in the space directly in front of the shop.
By car
There is a paid coin-operated car park directly across Shin-Karasuma Street. If it is full, another car park is located a little farther north.
Your questions, answered
BOOKING & PLANS
Can I visit without a reservation?
No. Utanekodo is fully reservation-only. Please make a booking before you visit. Since 2026, we have operated entirely by reservation; older reviews, websites or automated summaries suggesting that walk-ins are welcome no longer reflect our current policy.
Reservations help us avoid unexpected crowds and share important requests in advance: wear clean socks, do not wear perfume, cologne, body spray or other added fragrance, and do not visit another animal café or have contact with stray or outdoor cats earlier that day.
Same-day and last-minute bookings are welcome when spaces are available. Depending on the plan, start times range from 10:00 to 20:00. Book direct for the best rate, with free cancellation until 48 hours before your experience.
Even if you are already nearby, please check availability and book online before coming to the door.
Can I join on my own?
Absolutely. Solo guests are very welcome. You can book one place in Small Group, although each session requires a minimum of two guests in total. If nobody else books the same session, it may not go ahead for one guest alone.
You are also very welcome to book a Private Experience just for yourself. We have welcomed solo private guests before, and it is a lovely way to spend time entirely at your own pace.
What is the difference between the Shared and Private Experiences?
Small Group is our shared experience, with up to six guests joining together. A Private Experience is reserved for your group of one to six guests and offers more flexibility to shape your visit around your interests.
Choose Daytime Private, Evening Private or Patron Private. Private plans also include an optional cat-pattern two-piece kimono, available in limited adult women’s sizes. Compare the experiences →
Can I give an Utanekodo experience as a gift?
Yes. Book your preferred date and start time as usual, then email us to let us know it is a gift. Please include the names you would like shown as “From” and “To”.
We will create a personalised gift card with those names, the booking date and start time, and email it to you as a PDF. You can send it digitally or print it to give in person.
What is your cancellation policy?
Free cancellation until 48 hours before the experience. A 100% cancellation fee applies within 48 hours.
THE EXPERIENCE
How should I spend my time at Utanekodo?
There is no set way to enjoy your time here. Watch the cats go about their day, gently pet a cat who comes close, sit quietly or simply slow down. You do not need to keep doing something.
Please make yourself comfortable on the tatami and enjoy a quiet, unhurried time with the cats.
Is the experience conducted in English?
Yes. English guidance is available throughout the experience, including how to spend time with the cats, whisk your matcha and understand the meaning behind the tea etiquette we introduce.
What is included in the experience?
Quiet time with rescued cats in a Kyoto machiya, a small, carefully controlled portion of cat treats, an optional hands-on matcha experience with premium matcha, a cat-shaped vegan and gluten-free monaka sweet, and original Utanekodo postcard(s).
Private plans also offer an optional cat-pattern two-piece kimono in adult women’s sizes only. Patron Private includes extended time, Cat Cream Soda for every guest and a donation to animal welfare. See what’s included →
What makes Utanekodo distinctive?
Utanekodo is a small, reservation-only Cat Retreat. Keeping guest numbers low allows the cats to continue living calmly in their own home.
Your booking supports their food, ongoing veterinary care and everyday living environment. It also brings together quiet time with the cats, a Kyoto machiya and a hands-on matcha experience, with guidance in a small group. This combination of place, care and time together is what makes a visit to Utanekodo distinctive.
CATS & ANIMAL WELFARE
Are all of the cats at Utanekodo rescued cats?
Yes. All eight cats are rescued cats. Their backgrounds differ, including life on the streets, care through animal welfare organisations, pet shops and commercial breeding. You can read each cat’s individual story in OUR CATS.
Utanekodo is now their home. We provide a safe, stable place to live, food, veterinary care and everyday care, sustained through income from our experiences. Your booking helps that home continue.
Can I touch or pet the cats?
Yes. You may gently pet the cats when they choose to come close and seem comfortable.
Please let all interaction happen on their terms: do not chase, restrain, hold or pick them up, and always let a cat move away when they wish. Stay seated and relaxed, keep your voice low, avoid frequent movement, and do not force contact with their tails or paws.
Respecting the cats does not mean avoiding contact. It means allowing connection to happen naturally.
What if the cats do not come to me?
The cats are free to choose how close they would like to be, so interaction is never guaranteed. There is still plenty to enjoy: watching them sleep, play, look out of the window or spend time with one another.
Sharing their space quietly and seeing their everyday lives unfold is part of the experience, whether or not a cat chooses to settle beside you.
I have a cat allergy. Can I visit?
Cats live throughout the experience space, so the visit may not be suitable for guests with cat allergies.
Why can’t I visit another animal café or have contact with outdoor cats earlier that day?
These precautions help protect the cats’ health and the hygiene of their home. Please do not visit another animal café or have contact with stray or outdoor cats earlier on the day of your visit.
Can I buy extra treats for the cats?
No. To prioritise the cats’ health, treats are not sold. A small, carefully controlled portion is included in your experience at no additional cost.
MATCHA & TEA
Do I have to take part in the matcha experience?
No. The matcha experience is optional. You may choose coffee, tea or a soft drink instead, at the same price. If you would like to try whisking but prefer a gentler taste, you can whisk your own lightly sweetened matcha.
In Small Group, you will share the space while other guests take part and hear the staff’s explanation of tea etiquette and its background. You are welcome to relax and listen without participating.
On a Private Experience, if everyone in your group prefers to skip matcha, we can leave it out completely. Spend that time with the cats, relaxing or simply enjoying the machiya. For the greatest flexibility to shape your visit around your own interests, we recommend a Private Experience.
Is the matcha experience a formal tea ceremony?
No. It is intentionally relaxed and approachable. No previous experience is needed, and you do not need to kneel in seiza. Sit comfortably and take things at your own pace.
We introduce basic tea etiquette and explain the meaning behind the gestures. Our aim is to share some of the spirit and beauty of Japanese tea culture, rather than ask you to perform every movement perfectly, in the quiet Kyoto machiya where the cats live.
We serve top-quality matcha from Marukyu Koyamaen in Uji, Kyoto, with a cat-shaped vegan and gluten-free monaka sweet. Lightly sweetened matcha is also available for you to whisk yourself.
BEFORE YOUR VISIT
Do I need to wear socks?
Yes. Clean socks are required. You can purchase socks on site if needed.
Can I wear perfume or fragranced products?
UTANEKODO is a fragrance-free venue for the comfort and safety of our cats and guests. Please do not wear perfume, cologne, body spray, or other added fragrance when visiting.
If fragrance can be clearly detected on arrival, entry may be refused. No refund or same-day rescheduling will be provided in that case.
What time should I arrive?
Please arrive around your scheduled start time. Early visitors cannot wait inside before the experience begins.
Can children visit?
Yes. Children are welcome when parents ensure that they stay seated, behave calmly and treat the cats gently. Unaccompanied minors are not permitted.
Are seniors welcome?
Yes. Seniors are very welcome. Please note that the experience is on the second floor, with stairs only and no lift. Please consider whether everyone in your party can use the stairs.
Can I take photos?
Yes, without flash. Stay calm, give the cats space and do not chase or move them for a photograph.
CAFÉ, ACCESS & OTHER QUESTIONS
Can I visit just for the café?
The café is not open for standalone visits. Utanekodo is offered as a reservation-only experience.
After your experience, you are welcome to relax in our downstairs café and order additional drinks, including our signature Cat Cream Soda, coffee, tea and other soft drinks. These cost extra on the regular plans; Patron Private includes Cat Cream Soda for every guest.
Because the café is reserved for experience guests, it remains a quiet place to unwind and enjoy a little more time in the machiya.
Is the experience upstairs?
Yes. The main cat experience takes place on the second floor, reached by stairs only. There is no lift. Benzaemon and the café space are on the first floor.
Can I come by bicycle?
Yes. You are welcome to park your bicycle or motorcycle in the space directly in front of the shop.
Is there parking?
There is a paid coin-operated car park directly across Shin-Karasuma Street. If it is full, another car park is located a little farther north.
How do I contact Utanekodo?
We’re easiest to reach by email: utanekodo@tanosy.co.jp.
SHOP UTANEKODO
Japanese cat art, postcards and original goods inspired by the rescued cats of Utanekodo.
VISIT THE SHOP
CONTACT
Questions before your visit?
We’re easiest to reach by email.